The 2006 Perigee Seven Hills Vineyard is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. Dark ruby/purple-colored, it has an alluring perfume of pain grille, pencil lead, mineral, violets, black currant, and blackberry liqueur. Elegant and seamless on the palate, it has superb depth, concentration, and incipient complexity. Give it 5-7 years and drink it from 2013 to 2026. L’Ecole No. 41 is one of Walla Walla’s pioneers, the third modern day winery in the Valley. Over the years the winery has prospered, outgrown the namesake schoolhouse, and now produces about 35,000 cases with distribution in all 50 states and abroad. Despite the expansion, quality has remained consistently excellent. Tel. (509) 525-0940; www.lecole.com

From the oldest vines in the Seven Hills vineyard, this Bordeaux blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It’s dusty, earthy and complex, with strong scents and accents of coffee, chicory and dark chocolate. Lush, layered and seductive, it displays rich black fruits, firm acids, ripe tannins and fine balance throughout.——P.G.(11/1/2009)—— 93